Struggles at the Quarter-Season Mark Due to Management Incompetence
Plus, in-depth looks at the top-six's struggles and Dylan Cozens' slow start.
Welcome to The Hockey Writers Buffalo Sabres newsletter, with all the latest from our team of Sabres writers.
In today’s edition, we take a look at the Sabres’ top-six’s slow start, Dylan Cozens’ early season unluckiness, and who might be most at fault for the Sabres’ early woes. It would be great if you’d share the THW Substack with your friends and family so that they can subscribe and enjoy all the latest.
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Now, here’s the good stuff…
Buffalo Sabres’ Top-6 Forwards Need to Step Up
December 11, 2023 by Michael Golden
The Buffalo Sabres had a lot of question marks heading into this season. Would they make the playoffs for the first time in 12 years after coming short by one point in 2022-23? To do that, the Sabres needed some growth from their young players.
Players like JJ Peterka, Casey Mittelstadt, and rookie Zach Benson were all guys who had the potential to make or break the season. At 18, Benson passed his test with flying colors, scoring seven points in his first 17 games. He’s found chemistry with Peterka, who is currently on pace to nearly double his career-high in points.
Mittelstadt has been arguably the Sabres’ best player this season. He leads the team in points and has also improved his defensive game. Despite all the young middle six players having so much success, the Sabres have a feeble 11-14-2 record. The team’s top players have failed to live up to expectations, and they’ve negated any positive steps taken by some of their breakout players.
Sabres’ Center Dylan Cozens Snakebitten Once Again
December 10, 2023 by Jacob D. Strozyk
When just about everything is going wrong for a team, blame is going to be thrown around in almost every direction. Right now, the Buffalo Sabres have a lot of blame to be thrown on their coach Don Granato, some additional blame to be thrown on general manager Kevyn Adams, and the most blame on the roster as a whole. Besides a select few players in Rasmus Dahlin, Jeff Skinner, JJ Peterka, and Casey Mittelstadt, several high-end players have not been good enough in Buffalo this season, and one of the most noticeable has been Dylan Cozens.
In his first few seasons in the NHL, Cozens had a bit of a problem where he appeared “snakebitten” and could not finish some easy chances, or he made simple plays look difficult. Last season it looked like he had shed that issue, and was able to have a massive breakout. He was one of the Sabres’ leading scorers and was a clutch performer in very big moments, but this season is the exact opposite.
Sabres’ Struggles Result of Kevyn Adams’ Poor Management
December 9, 2023 by JP Gambatese
On average, 76.7 percent of teams in a playoff spot come Thanksgiving remain in a playoff spot in the spring. Two weeks later, the Sabres find themselves five points back of a wild card spot with the second most games played of any Eastern Conference team. Not only that, but the team’s underlying statistics and special teams show no indication of this record being a fluke.
Fans can point out that there have been too many injuries to have a successful season, but the fact is that even when everyone was healthy, the team was underperforming. In fact, outside of Casey Mittelstadt, JJ Peterka, and arguably Rasmus Dahlin, practically everyone on the roster has been underperforming. At some point, it’s time to start looking inward, and when the results simply have not been there despite the bulk of the roster and coaching staff remaining unchanged, the blame must be put on general manager Kevyn Adams.